Today's throne speech to lay out Liberals' long-term agenda

Ontario Liberals want to team up with other provinces on such issues as creating a provincial pension plan to supplement the Canada Pension Plan, according to Finance Minister Charles Sousa. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

"Those kinds of initiatives show nation-building, it's also about leadership, but it's also recognizing that Ontario's place in the federation is critical," Sousa said.

"And we want the federal government to respect that too in terms of investing in those strategic programs and opportunities that exist in the province for everyone's benefit."

The speech, entitled "Building Ontario Up," will outline the Liberals' plan to grow the economy, including job training programs and continuing a 30 per cent discount on tuition for some post-secondary students.

To promote Ontario overseas, Premier Kathleen Wynne is planning to make a week-long trade trip to China this fall, the Liberals said.

Billions for transit, corporate grants

The speech, to be read by departing by Lt.-Gov. David Onley, will be the first glimpse at the Liberals' agenda after winning a majority of seats in the legislature. But it will sound very familiar.

The Liberal budget includes 29 billion over 10 years to build public transit and other transportation infrastructure. (J.P. Moczulski/Canadian Press)

Most of their priorities were laid out in the budget that triggered the June 12 election, which the Liberals plan to introduce again.

It includes doling out $29 billion over 10 years to build public transit and other transportation infrastructure and another $2.5 billion in corporate grants to bring and keep businesses in Ontario.

Government house leader Yasir Naqvi said the Liberals will work with the opposition parties, even though they no longer need their help to pass legislation.

"They were a very important part of the entire process, but of course we also have a mandate from Ontarians," he said.

"That centres on going out and creating good paying jobs, investing in transit and transit infrastructure and making sure that there is a secure retirement for Ontarians."

The Liberals have also promised to eliminate Ontario's $12.5-billion deficit in three years, which will require them to put the brakes on government spending.

The speech will reiterate their commitment to being "fiscally responsible" and their "unwavering commitment" to balance the books in 2017-18, they said.

It will also lay out the role of newly minted Treasury Board president Deb Matthews, who will have to find the savings to meet that deadline.

Lean times for Tories

The Progressive Conservatives are facing leaner times too. Their crushing election defeat saw them lose nine seats — a failure they've blamed on an ill-fated promise to cut 100,000 public sector jobs to help slay the deficit in two years.

Tory Lisa MacLeod said she's not expecting any surprises in the throne speech.